Early draft picks who fit Oakland Raiders

Is it too early to talk draft? It could be, but who cares? This is RaidersSnakepit.com. We do what we please.

It’s the offseason in Oakland, so let’s talk about how your beloved squad can get better. So, we will talk about the draft and free agency any time we choose.

For today’s exercise, we are going to look at some fits in the first and second rounds. The Raiders pick either No. 9 or No 10 based on a coin flip with the hated San Francisco 49ers at the NFL Combine next month.

First round possibilities, served in alphabetical order:

Saqoun Barkley, RB, Penn State: I don’t think the odds are high. I can see him getting drafted in the top five. Plus, it is a deep running back class. If he somehow falls to the Raiders, perhaps they will pounce.

Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State: The Raiders have other needs, but a Khalil Mack-Chubb partnership is intriguing. The Raiders need defensive playmakers and Chubb is one. Doubtful he falls to Raiders, though.

Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama: He would be an awesome fit for the Silver and Black. He can play cornerback and safety, and the Raiders need help at both spots. Also, it has been reported that his position coach at Bama, Derrick Ansley, is taking the same gig with the Raiders. Problem is, Fitzpatrick will likely require a trade up for the Raiders to get him.

Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama: The Raiders could use a receiver and Ridley is one of a few possibilities who could be taken in in the top half of the draft. The Raiders could probably trade down a bit and get Ridley.

Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia: At this very moment, this is the guy the Raiders should draft. He would fill a huge need and he should be available when Oakland picks. He would go a long way to repairing this defense.

Second-round possibilities

Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia: Yes, I can see Smith and Chubb go from being Georgia teammates to being Raiders’ teammates. Chubb could be available to the Raiders in the second round. He would be a very nice value pick.

Derrius Guice, RB, LSU: He’s another running back that makes sense to Oakland in Round 2.

Bryce Love, RB, Stanford: Sense a theme here? Love is intriguing because he can catch the ball out of the backfield. That makes him a nice fit for Jon Gruden’s offense. UPDATE: He has since announced he is going to back to school for the 2018 season.

Trenton Thompson, DT, Georgia: He’d be good value. Bringing in Smith and Thompson from that great college defense, wouldn’t hurt the Raiders.

Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State: Scouts like this guy. Could be a steal.

Conclusion: It’s early and things will change. We will do this exercise again. But for now, these are some of the names to consider for the Raiders early in the draft.

Bill Williamson has been a professional sports journalist for 28 years. He has covered the NFL for 22 straight years. He has been covering the Oakland Raiders for the past nine years, including seven at ESPN.com.

McKenzie will end up taking a guy from Southern South Dakota State University, who is in police custody, but once had 6 sacks in 1 game 2 yrs ago. THAT is how Reggie rolls with draft picks………must reach as much as possible.

Way too many RBs and DBs on your list. We have Lynch, Richard, and Hood. That other guy can go, but we only need one if Lynch is gone. Not a need at this point. And Certainly not in the first round with the other holes we have. I’m tired of Reggie whiffing on high round DBs. Fix that with FA, we have enough young guys back there. Coach them up. Bring in a proven commodity.

Chubb vs. Smith in Rnd 1 isn’t a bad choice if either is there. I would like to see us take a monster DL for pressure up the middle early though.